Barry Wolfert

Barry Wolfert was born in New York, New York. He earned a high school diploma from Rockland Country Day School and a bachelor's degree from Cornell University in 1988.

His career experience includes owning a business. Wolfert also has career experience in the hotel, tourism, meetings, and real estate industries.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a small business owner & Cobb County resident fighting for an affordable and compassionate America that doesn't leave hardworking people behind.

I am an ordinary, hard working American pursuing the American dream: work hard, own a home, provide for my family and enjoy a reasonable retirement.

I am entering this race because I feel our country is off course and headed towards an irreparable outcome. It didn't start with Donald Trump but it has accelerated under him.

It's time bring back citizen-led servant leadership; we need people in Congress who work in the real world everyday and not just "sympathize" with Americans but are one of them.

When elected, I won't forget where I come from and I will make a promise right now to serve no more than 3 terms in the US House. We don't need any more career politicians.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

As a self employed, self-insured person, I understand and feel firsthand the stress of our current healthcare system. Having absorbed 10%-20% annual premium increases over the last 10+ years, I know how hard it is to find the money to pay for basic healthcare coverage. Now, with ACA subsidies at risk, we are all facing enormous and insurmountable costs that will either break us or force us to go without coverage. This system is broken.As a person in their middle years, I also fully understand the prospect of NEVER being able to fully retire. Even with the best efforts and luck, social security is now at risk of being insolvent within 7-8 years. No one can afford to see their benefits cut by 20%-25% and expect to be able to fully retire without worry. We MUST protect social security and medicare.As a real estate agent for over 20 years, I deal with the housing affordability crisis on a daily basis. Not only is it almost impossible to find good homes due to large corporations buying thousands of homes and keeping them off the market, being able to afford a monthly mortgage and downpayment is difficult at best and almost impossible for first time buyers.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Healthcare, Social Security, Housing Affordability, Reproductive Freedom, Civil Rights Protections, Effective Foreign Policy, Human Rights For All, Controlled Government Spending, Tax Policy That Makes Everyone Pay Their Fair Share.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I have found inspiration in a lot of people. These include Steve Jobs, Presidents Carter, Clinton, Obama, and Truman, John Lennon among many others.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, accessibility, transparency, truthfulness and leadership ability.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Listen to ALL of their constituents and represent them fairly. Work hard to pass laws that make society better for everyone and address key issues of the day.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I did the best I could and stepped up when needed.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first one I truly remember is President Nixon resigning. I was 6 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first "real" job was as a paperboy. I did it for 4-5 years. I delivered the newspaper to 50-75 households, 7 days a week. I loved it.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

No. I think it's more important for government to have a variety of people from different backgrounds and areas of knowledge so that we are collectively stronger.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The divide between haves and have nots. We can not survive as a society or country if 95% of the wealth is held by 5% of the people.

I believe this is greatest challenge we face and it has to be address in all areas of government involvement.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

It's in the Constitution. I don't think the Founding Fathers foresaw the money and influence that would corrupt and permeate the system.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I believe that our system has become corrupt where longtime elected politicians have too much money and power to retain a hold on their office. I don't know if a law limiting terms is the best solution but I will declare from day one that I will not serve more than three (3) full terms in the House.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes. Compromise is necessary to reach mutually beneficial decisions. We can't have a "my way or the highway" approach to policymaking.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

I have raised amazing children to become amazing people.